The 2026-27 academic school year started not only with the Class of 2030 being welcomed to campus, but with a new dean for the James M. Hull College of Business. 

Phillip Davis, PhD, started his first day at Augusta University on Aug. 17 by donning his graduation regalia and heading onto the stage at Freshman Convocation.  

“I would describe my first day as exciting and amazingly intentional,” Davis said. “Beginning the day with Freshman Convocation to me was very thought-provoking. In essence, we began the day with what we envision for all our freshmen, by starting with the end in mind. Freshman Convocation started a freshman’s journey at AU with the formality of the deans participating in regalia, which is also how their journey at AU will end. It is a great way to help students envision their graduation and success at AU. I think it is one of the most well-intentioned actions I have experienced at any university.” 

Start of his career

Davis began his career in the corporate world, working for several Fortune 500 companies including Ingersoll-Rand, Cutler Hammer Corporation and Bank of America. His entry into the business world came from wanting to learn about why some projects were approved but others weren’t.  

“That prompted me to want to understand the business world a little bit better,” Davis said. “I knew the technical world and manufacturing really well, but I didn’t quite understand some of the business decisions that were being made about the projects in areas that impacted our work. I wanted to know more about that, which drove me to get my MBA.” 

From there, Davis made the decision to go back to school for his MBA. He received his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1997 and his MBA in 2000, both from Clemson University. 

During his time at Ingersoll-Rand he almost took a job at Club Car, which the company owned, more than 20 years ago.  

“I thought that was almost like a full-circle moment, like I’m coming back here,” Davis said. 

Bank of America was the last corporation he worked for before entering into academia. Davis held several roles over the six years he was with the company, including an individual contributor, a managerial position and his experience there culminated into an executive position.  

Davis made the decision to enter the academic world after a mentor told him several times he would be good at it. After 14 years in the corporate world, he returned to school and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2014 with his PhD in management with an emphasis in strategy and entrepreneurship.

“I thought that was almost like a full-circle moment, like I’m coming back here.”

Phillip Davis, PhD, Hull College of Business dean

As for why he chose the University of North Texas for his PhD, the program was fitting for what he wanted for his degree, Davis said. When he and his family moved to Texas, they didn’t know anyone except a former co-worker and his wife. They stayed there for four years. 

“We really loved the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but ultimately family was a little homesick, and we wanted to be close to the family,” Davis explained. “So … (I) took the job at East Carolina University.”  

He spent two years at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where he taught strategic management and family business.  

He stayed in touch with people in Texas and when an opportunity at Texas State University opened, he applied and got the position. He taught strategic management, a graduate assistant class and an MBA-level capstone which was about managing projects.  

“We were kind of like a small consulting firm that worked with local businesses to help them solve various problems that they were encountering,” Davis said. 

Davis started at the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University as a tenured track assistant professor. He was tenured in 2021 as an associate professor and then became the assistant department chair of the management department. In 2024, he became the associate dean for faculty success and research.

Before applying for the job at the Hull College of Business, Davis said he didn’t know anything about Augusta University. He learned about AU when interviewing an incoming faculty member at Texas State, who they ultimately hired.  

“There was actually a person graduating with a PhD from the School of Cyber and Computer Sciences,” Davis said. “I saw the name and I thought, Augusta University, I’ve never heard of Augusta University. I did the research and found that the school was changing and on this interesting trajectory.” 

As he was researching Augusta University, he thought it would be a great place to live. He then discovered the dean position opening at the Hull College of Business and decided to apply.  

“I didn’t know very much about the school,” Davis said. “I had heard of Augusta State in the past. I knew that Paine College was here. I didn’t know that much about the Medical College of Georgia or the Dental College of Georgia. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see how things have formulated here at Augusta University.” 

Coming to Augusta University

Davis came to Augusta University from an associate dean position, which he feels helped prepare him for his new role because he dealt with more than 170 faculty members and their research portfolios, different department chairs and the provost office. 

“It gave me some interesting insight on scale, how to bring new programs to market, how to resource those programs and ultimately how to work with faculty at different levels,” Davis said. “I think that was the best preparation I could’ve had coming in here.” 

“What really made Dr. Davis a standout among the other candidates was his personality, enthusiasm, and the way he connected with people.”

Maggie G. Tomova, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Maggy G. Tomova, PhD, said Davis had several qualities that made him an excellent candidate for the dean position.  

“What really made Dr. Davis a standout among the other candidates was his personality, enthusiasm, and the way he connected with people,” Tomova said. “We were looking for someone who could not only lead Hull College of Business forward but also build strong relationships along the way. His ability to connect with people, listen to their perspectives and make them feel valued will be one of his greatest strengths as a dean.” 

His first few weeks at Augusta University have gone well, with Davis stating he’s grateful for the warm welcome he’s received. He’s met a lot of people and everyone has been eager to help him get acclimated to his new role. 

“That’s been extremely pleasurable and it’s helped me feel a lot more comfortable sooner rather than later,” Davis said. “So, I feel good about that.” 

With his position, Tomova said she believes Davis understands the needs of Hull College.  

“Dr. Davis also brings a strong spirit of innovation to Hull College,” Tomova said. “He understands that business education must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our students, employers and the business community. I am excited to see the new ways he will connect Hull students with local, national and international businesses and prepare them to compete and succeed in an increasingly global business environment.”  

With his new role, Davis has several ideas for Hull College. During his interview process, he heard Hull College referred to as a hidden gem and he wants to change that.  

“I don’t want us to be hidden anymore,” Davis said. “I think one of the things that’s really important, that will be extremely important not just for our college, but for the university as a whole is for the university, for the Hull College of Business to take a broader approach to our outreach.” 

Davis added that something he enjoys is getting to know people and figuring out what motivates them. One of his most important jobs is to determine how to unleash people’s passion because when people are passionate about what they do, everyone benefits.  

“I am very excited to see Dr. Davis join Augusta University and the Hull College of Business,” Tomova said. “I am confident that his leadership will position Hull College as a leader in innovative business education at the state, national, and international levels.”